Working with School Districts

Local CCR&R agencies serve as the community-based “hub” of early childhood activity – linking families to services and supporting the quality, affordability, and accessibility of child care and early learning programs.

All children deserve access to quality, affordable child care, and CCR&Rs encourage collaborations to bring about integrated services to ensure that families are supported in a way that best meets their needs.  CCR&Rs are well-positioned and eager to work with school districts to support high-quality preschool programs, particularly in a mixed-delivery setting (partnering with community-based child care providers to deliver high-quality preschool). CCR&R agencies are available to provide a variety of training and technical assistance services to districts interested in developing a pre-school program,  strengthening an existing program, partnering with community  providers, and supporting “before & after” school care needs.

Schools districts can access the following services from their local CCR&Rs:

• Collaboration/Coordination.  Each county CCR&R offers a range of activities to assist and support early childhood staff including coalitions, pre-K forums, conferences, director’s support networks, and teacher support networks.
• Program Development.  CCR&Rs are the number one source of all the latest information on early childhood services in your community and across the country. CCR&R highly trained professionals are available to sit on planning committees to provide data, research and lend technical support in the development of the program design section of grant applications.
• Training.  Highly trained professionals, with knowledge of current trends and information in the early childhood field, are available to provide training on a wide variety of topics tailored to your needs.
• Technical Assistance.  Staff can provide technical assistance to aid in the development and implementation of a pre-K program including start-up issues, curriculum, health and safety consultation, etc.
• Resources.  CCR&Rs have a variety of materials including equipment, toys, videotapes, and curriculum materials available through their lending libraries.
• Referrals.  CCR&Rs can refer parents to your program and can help you meet B&A care needs.
• Homeless support. CCR&Rs can work with school district Mckinney-Vento coordinators to ensure that children in families experiencing homelessness are well supported.